So on the topic of the “vortex of specialness” that is E3, I want to look at some of the best of E3 – the games (or technology) that surprised and intrigued me most. All with links to The Verge, because they have absolutely wonderful coverage.
Mind-blowing trailers:
- The Last of Us - from game studio Naughty Dog, known for their Uncharted or Jak (& Daxter) series of installments, are presenting a dark, post-apocalyptic survival game. A must see (gameplay included!) trailer that bumps up the wow-factor through kills, an AI companion in the form of a little girl, and great graphics.
- The Unfinished Swan - an artistically cool trailer – neat concept with the painting the world to reveal it. Makes me think of sonar of sorts.
- Sleeping Dogs - okay, this is screenshots, but the idea and development is cool, exploring the world of the Triads in Hong Kong. Cleavers are involved, so it must be good.
- South Park – hilarious. Just watch.
- Beyond Two Souls - the graphics are mind blowing, and are all rendered in real time with the PS3. Their technology is stunning, and definitely watch Kara. The studio behind all this, Quantic Dreams, is one to watch.
- Watch Dogs - not only amazing graphics, but it highlights the looming spectre of the lack of privacy, with an operative able to scan random people and look at income, and even whether they are HIV positive
The Microsoft Keynote - this keynote blew me away not only with the games being shown off, but the technology. Xbox Smartglass, Kinect integration, with Joe Montana of 49′ers fame, Xbox Music, and more content providers (namely 24-hour ESPN coverage/shows) are just some of the highlights from the keynote.
- Madden 13 – with Joe Montana – featuring Kinect integration to call plays. The way Joe Montana would.
- ESPN, NBA, NHL, Nickelodeon, and more. Coming to Xbox. Great to see Microsoft is getting something right over Google in the TV space.
- Xbox Music – goodbye Zune, you won’t be forgotten in the Metro legacy you left Microsoft.
Wii U Competitors
- PS3+Vita yields a Wii U competitor with Little Big Planet 2.
- Oh yeah, and did I mention Xbox Smartglass?
- But maybe the Wii U will yield some interesting games, but overall, I doubt it’ll be a hit, or worse, I’m sure it’ll be the flop the 3DS is.
My inner fanboy
- Anything Star Wars related, especially when it involves bounty hunters and a collaboration with Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic
- Pokemon!
- Oh my god. South Park. And it’s hilarious (worth mentioning a second time? Yes.)
- Star Wars The Old Republic goes free to play. Until level 15 that is.
And a game you can play now:
- Mother’s Inferno - from an international school’s submission to a game competition, this is being featured at E3′s Indiecade, and looks to be wonderfully horror-ific – a journey through a Danta inspired hell.
